Fr. Z: Am I obliged to receive communion?

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I was told you are only obligated to receive communion at Easter. You are obligated to always attend Mass. Unless of course there are extenuating circumstances.
 
**Edit: please note that this post, and Pup7’s below it, were in response to posts which have since been removed by the moderators. Some people apparently find that too difficult to understand."

How rude do you have to be to stick your nose into why someone doesn’t receive communion? 😱
 
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Yeah, you must receive communion at least once during the Easter season, but the Church desires that we communicate at every mass we go to, provided that you’re worthy to receive of course.
 
Fr Z is mistaken on one small point.
You are obliged to confess and receive sacramental absolution once a year (can. 989).
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This is not really correct.
You are only obliged to Confess once a year if you are conscious of having committed grave sin.

It is Communion that we must receive once a year.
And even then it does not have to be at Easter time if there is a good reason.
 
Where in any document of the Church oes it say that “you are obliged to confess your sins once a year only I you are conscious of having committed a mortal sin?” I’ve always understood that we had to go regardless of whether or not we are aware of having committed mortal sin.
 
semper_catholicus said:
Where in any document of the Church oes it say that “you are obliged to confess your sins once a year only I you are conscious of having committed a mortal sin?” I’ve always understood that we had to go regardless of whether or not we are aware of having committed mortal sin.
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Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1457.

You really should get a copy, as often as you ask questions that are answered by it. There are also searchable versions available free online.
 
It continues…

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This is NOT a snipe, but it’s my understanding that this is another change to come out of Vatican II, which isn’t semper_catholicus’ cup of tea. Not a snipe. I swear.
 
Maximilian75 said:
It’s so sad…

Either

a) We have tons of saints in our pews

b) Almost everyone at my church goes to Confession at surrounding parishes

c) a majority of Catholics today are frequently receiving Holy Communion in a state of grave sin
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Or

perhaps there are many others who fall between those who fit your definition of saints and those whom you judge to be in the state of grave sin 🤔
 
That passage doesn’t answer my question.

I know that we’re bound to confess our sins at least once a year. What I was asking was this:

Where does it say that we are bound to confess our sins at least once a year ONLY if we are aware of having committed mortal sin?
 
semper_catholicus said:
That passage doesn’t answer my question.

I know that we’re bound to confess our sins at least once a year. What I was asking was this:

Where does it say that we are bound to confess our sins at least once a year ONLY if we are aware of having committed mortal sin?
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Code of Canon Law
Can. 989 After having reached the age of discretion, each member of the faithful is obliged to confess faithfully his or her grave sins at least once a year.
 
semper_catholicus said:
That passage doesn’t answer my question.
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It does if you actually read it:
"According to the Church’s command, “after having attained the age of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year.”
 
So I take it there’s not going to be an argument from authority in this case…
 
semper_catholicus said:
Where in any document of the Church oes it say that “you are obliged to confess your sins once a year only I you are conscious of having committed a mortal sin?” I’ve always understood that we had to go regardless of whether or not we are aware of having committed mortal sin.
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No. Many people get that wrong. You are obliged to receive Communion once a year during the Easter period. It follows of course that to do that you must be in a state of grace so you must confess if you have any mortal sins on your soul. If not you are not obliged to confess.
 
Once a year confession, huh? With me being the final arbiter as to whether I’ve committed serious sin? Yeah right! Fr. Almire Pichon, S.J. once told St. Therese that she never committed a mortal sin. Nevertheless, she always made frequent confession. That’s because she rightfully knew of the graces received through this great Sacrament. Even for venial sin. Google “frequent confession catholic” and read the numerous articles on this subject written by priests and bishops. Better still, read what the popes had to say about the benefits of frequent confession.
 
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